Grieving hen?

ehs284 · « **on:** August 29, 2009, 19:40 »

Last night one of our 3 Blackrocks died. This morning the 4 Warrens all got out as usual as did one Blackrock. The other Blackrock didn't want to leave the coop. I put her outside but she just stood about where the deceased one would lie. Mid-day I picked her up and took her to the area where the others were. She just stood about. Tonight she is on her perch already (7-15pm) and refused food from my hand. There is nothing obviously wrong with her, although she is a little bare around her rear end. Opinions please; is it a coincidence and should I look further for a physical illness, or is she missing her sister?

themagicaltoad1 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2009, 19:48 »

What did your other hen die of? could she be suffering from the same thing?

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2009, 20:05 »

That was my first thought too

ehs284 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2009, 20:20 »

No, she was injured in a buzzard attack 3 weeks ago; seemed to recover and suddenly relapsed last night. They all seem a little subdued, but she is the only one behaving quite differently.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2009, 20:26 »

Give her a good check over tomorrow.

Is she warmer that the other hens ? Feel under her wing.

Is her crop empty first thing in the morning ?

What are her poos like ?

Is she breathing well ?

What colour is her comb ?

Does she have any passengers ?

Does she feel to be a good weight ?

Is she sleepy ?

ehs284 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2009, 22:01 »

Will do. Thanks Auntie.

dizzylizzie · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2009, 07:19 »

how is she today?

ehs284 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2009, 10:08 »

Morning and thank you for your interest and help. She is still 'unhappy' and slow in her movements. She doesn't feel hot, but her comb and wattles are redder than usual. Her poo is runny, but not white diarrhoea. Her crop was empty but for a 'doughy' feeling area at the bottom. I gave her a good massage which she seemed to like. No sign of mites or lice. It's now 10 so I'm going to see whether she has been eating. Could this be an odd version of being broody?

ehs284 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2009, 15:00 »

She was tempted by a piece of cake; nothing else interested her. She ate a few mouthfuls and her crop seems empty. She refused wild bird food and all usual foods. She is active enough to try and avoid me (but settles when caught) and keeps away from the others. Once is she is away from 'us' she just stands still with no interest in anything. Her eyes are bright and I can't find anything wrong. I'll give her an hour and check her again. Should I try another food? Any other ideas?

grumpydad · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2009, 15:27 »

she will need to eat and drink, any chance you can try complan, we were told to give it by the vet when one of ours was ill.
she possibly needs to see a vet, ours was not interested in food, and in the end we found it was coccidiosis, which stops them being able to absorb food, hence they become ill. she will need medication for this.
life guard tonic in the water will apparently help as found by hampshire agricultural college.

martyn

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2009, 16:13 »

Yes, she does sound ill. A professional diagnosis would be my choice.

Grieving hen?

ehs284

Grieving hen?

themagicaltoad1

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Aunt Sally

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ehs284

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Aunt Sally

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ehs284

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dizzylizzie

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ehs284

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ehs284

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grumpydad

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Aunt Sally

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